| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A- |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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The New Age of the Bat !
by Idolsmasher (movies profile)
Dec 18, 2006
111
of
193 people found this review helpful
Yeah, yeah, we all know Joel Schumacher killed the series, but it appears Director Nolan (of "Momento" fame) has paid a 'tithe' to the Comic-Book Gods and was given the power to resurrect the Dark Knight and he's darker, more fierce, aggressive, and believeably more human. Witness the 'New Age of The Bat'.
What "Blade" and "X-Men" did for Marvel comics I think this newer (less PC and 'stylized') Batman could do for DC comics. It's an impressive extravaganza of character interplay and as origin tales go even better than "Spider Man" for my money. This story is a meaty bare-knuckle brawl of an action flick that exemplifies why Batman will always being a tad cooler than Superman- He's only human, yet as Liam Neeson's character explains "committed to an ideal makes himself more than a man". Hard-core comic fans will enjoy the hidden twists and turns in this expertly woven tale that plays like the comics. For the novice it's a great jumping on point and really explains the mentality of Bruce Wayne, a man who's got all the money and creature comforts he could ever need yet seeks that which can never be bought- JUSTICE! and peace of mind for himself and his beloved Gothem City.
Who's helping him do this?. Lucius Fox (a friend of late fathers) played by Morgan Freeman and does a good job walking us through the tech-talk and toys that make Batman's action sequences plausible. You didn't think Bats just goes to Home Depot and builds the Batmobile? He needs help. Emotionally he's got Alfred played nicely by veteran actor Micheal Caine. Caine's good here and not simply a 'yes Sir' kinda guy. He's not always thrilled about his masters new hobby and that's refreshing. Cheers to Gary Oldman who plays Detective Gordon just like comic fans probably imagined him (at least I did).
The Scarecrow is the main baddie here and is pyschoticly tasty, but his 'normal' alter-ego Dr. Crane I think just might be more creepy (nice touch). There's another Major-Bat Villain in play here but, I won't give it away. Katie Holmes is the "Instant Victim" (Just add water and watch her faint and scream) but, I do love her expression when she trys to taser our dark hero and he doesn't even flinch.
The action is furious and I love the hyper-editing of the fight scenes. It's more creepy to see Bats just 'Snatch' a person out of nowhere than make a grand show after all that's what Bat's is all about- unexpected. Too many great sequences to name!. What's better the Subway battle or The Tumbler chase?....the "In-Jokes" are fun also. Repeated views will have to done to take it all in!. Tim Burton's Bat-flicks were great but, this is just better by a few hairs....like the ones that stand up after you've seen the 'True Batman'!.
Enjoy the New Age of "The Bat"
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